Do disabled people also vote? Electoral frameworks and voting participation in Nigeria’s 2019 elections

Abstract

As voting represents the peak of citizen engagement in politics, this article assessed electoral laws and guidelines, and how they influenced the voting participation of disabled people during Nigeria’s 2019 general elections. It relied on the qualitative and quantitative methods to source data from key participants, including disabled students at the Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, Nigeria’s main training institution for disabled people. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics and contently analysed. The article revealed that beyond constitutional provisions guaranteeing equal participation of all, legislations such as the 2010 Electoral Act, where well implemented, positively influenced the voting participation of disabled people. However, challenges of braille ballot papers, transportation restriction, and stigmatization adversely affected their voting participation. The article offers recommendations for enhanced inclusion of disabled people and for closing the disability gap in future elections. Points of Interest The Electoral Act (as amended) provides opportunities for enhanced voting participation of disabled people during elections in Nigeria but majority of them are not aware of these provisions. The research found that the electoral officials did not follow all the provisions of the Electoral Act during the 2019 elections, and this affected the voting participation of many disabled people. Non-availability of brail ballot papers and sign language interpreter at the voting centers as well as restriction placed on mobility on the day of election restricted the participation of disabled people in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria. The study recommended an improvement in the implementation of the Electoral Act by the electoral officials to improve voting participation of disabled people in Nigeria. The study recommended that electoral reforms that include electronic voting system and transmission of results should be implemented and strengthened in subsequent elections in Nigeria.